Blackout Time remains on track to make his next start in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park March 28, co-owner Lance Gasaway said March 7.
Blackout Time finished fourth in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 1, which marked his first start since the Breeders' Futurity (G1) Oct. 4 at Keeneland. Blackout Time was beaten 8 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel, Oaklawn's third Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying race.
"We knew he wouldn't be 100%," Gasaway said of the colt he co-owns with BR Thoroughbreds and Magdalena Racing. "We thought, maybe, 85, 90%. He should have gotten a lot out of that. He drank a lot of water afterwards. Hey, regroup, right? We've just got to regroup and go again."
Blackout Time has been based in Louisiana this winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, but Gasaway said the Not This Time colt will remain at Oaklawn to prepare for the Arkansas Derby. Blackout Time has been recently reunited with a familiar morning partner in retired two-time Oaklawn riding champion Robby Albarado, who regularly got on the colt last fall in Kentucky.
"He'll be here the whole time," Gasaway said of Albarado. "He will breeze him, he will gallop him, he will be on him every day."
Blackout Time is trained by Kenny McPeek, who is seeking his first Arkansas Derby victory after finishing third in 2024 with the Gasaway-owned Mystik Dan , who would win the Kentucky Derby in his next start.
The Arkansas Derby will award 200 points to the top five finishers (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby.
Blackout Time (15 points) ranks 26th on the latest Kentucky Derby leaderboard released by Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters, with the top 17 horses on the points list guaranteed a spot in the field.
Top point getters from the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby and Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby could receive the three remaining spots, according to Churchill Downs.
Next-race plans are pending for Soldier N Diplomat after his fifth-place finish in the Rebel, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said March 8. Soldier N Diplomat was beaten 13 1/2 lengths after being hung seven-wide on the first turn.
"Came out of it good," Asmussen said. "He's been back to the track and undecided on what he'll do next."
Soldier N Diplomat has 18 points to rank 23rd on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
